Coping With A Leaky Roof
Water damage from a leaky roof can be swift and extensive if not dealt with immediately. Contractors are rarely available to repair a roof before your ceiling is completely saturated. The water will spread horizontally throughout the structure of your home unless you take emergency action to mitigate the situation. Coping with leaky roofing requires several steps, some of which must be done in rapid sequence:
Locate the leak – This may not be easy depending upon the location of the damage. Follow the drips, moisture, mold/mildew or water stains (in that order) to find the source of the leak.
Redirect the main flow of water – You will need buckets for this. They will act as reservoirs to protect against flooding of your living space. Place these containers underneath the drips and attach a string from the main flow of water to the bucket. Surface tension will help keep the water flowing along the string and safely into the bucket.
Limit the damage whenever possible – If necessary, poke a hole in the ceiling at the point where water seems to be building up. This will allow the drywall or ceiling panels to drain much more easily. Also, you can plan for where the water will fall and protect the area underneath.
Call a roofing contractor ASAP.
Apply a temporary repair patch if appropriate – This can be done with roofing cement, plywood, or tarp depending on the extent of the damage. Remember the rule, one piece of patchwork per leak.
Invest your home improvement funds to get the repair done properly.
If there is physical danger in taking any of these steps because of a potential collapse or fall hazard, wait for the arrival of a qualified contractor.
Related posts:
- Roof Flashing Maintenance & Repair
- Galvanized Gutter Leak Repair
- Diagnosing Leaks In Bathrooms: Part 2
- Has Hail Damaged Your Roof?
- 5 Things That Can Damage Your Roof
Tags: Roofing
